Highland completed a memorable season with a superb National Bowl final win.
After the misery of last season when they were relegated from Caledonia 1, this win capped a superb campaign which has also brought the Caledonia 2 title and the Regional Bowl.
Davie Carson, the Highland coach, said: “This has eased the pain of last season. It has been remarkable and could not have worked out better. Although we didn’t play our best rugby today, it was a cup tie with all the pressure that brings, played on tricky but fast pitch. We have worked hard to get here and in the end got our rewards.”
Opponents Glenrothes, drafted in on Thursday night to replace the disqualified St Boswells who had fielded an ineligible player in their semi-final, struggled to contain the Inverness back three of Richard Sim, Craig Findlater and Darren McLeod.
Two minutes in McLeod raced in at the corner, finishing off a move straight from the training ground to give the northerners the perfect start, made better by stand off Scott Fraser’s kick from the touch line.
Highland’s domination was shown in 23 minutes when another well-rehearsed move ended with centre Tam McGowan touching down after good work from prop Sinclair Patience and arguably the best forward on the pitch, flanker Eamon Guinan.
Once again Fraser did the business, kicking the conversion from wide out to give his side a 14-0 lead.
Highland were a constant threat, although they had to settle for a 14-point lead at half-time with a promise of more to come, which it did after 46 minutes when man of the match, centre Rory Cross, prised open the Fife defence to set up Sim for their third try, although Fraser missed the conversion.
Glenrothes then proved they were not just there to make up numbers, grabbing an enterprising try through centre Cameron Goodall, converted by fellow centre Shaun Gray right on the hour mark.
Inverness surged back to make the game safe in 67 minutes when Gareth High plundered the Fife line, and with Fraser once again splitting the sticks from out wide it was all over, although the Carleton Park side had the last word when Daryl Warrender rumbled over five minutes from time for an unconverted try.
Collecting the silverware was a special moment for captain and hooker Kevin Brown, enabling him to ease the pain of losing out in the same competition in 2006. He said: “It feels just great to get my hands on this trophy after being beaten by Morgan Academy eight years ago.”
Glenrothes coach Tom Hainey added: “After last season this is an amazing turnaround for Highland. They have done really well.”
English Premiership leaders Saracens claimed a 23-18 victory over Newcastle at Kingston Park yesterday with the home side snatching a vital bonus point in their fight against relegation. Sinoti Sinoti scored an early try for the Falcons but Tim Streather and Ben Ransom crossed over for Sarries before Alex Tait grabbed a reward for Newcastle four minutes from time.
Charlie Hodgson kicked the rest of Saracens’ points with namesake Joel booting two penalties for Newcastle and Phil Godman slotting a conversion.